THE FALL OF THE WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE The fall of the Western Roman Empire after the conquest of Rome by the Ostrogoths in the year 476 A.D. meant the break-up of Mediterranean unity and the arose of new powers and civilizations as the Germanic Kingdoms, the Byzantine Empire and the Islamic

THE BREAK-UP OF MEDITERRANEAN UNITY

THE ORIGINS OF ISLAM  For centuries, nomadic Arabs had lived on the Arabian peninsula. They lived in tribes that were often in conflict with each other.  They considered the city of Mecca as their holy city although they had different religions (christianism, judaism, animism…)

 At the end of the 6th century, a man name Muhammad announced that he was the messenger of Allah (the name he gave to God).  He was a merchant living in Mecca that had studied the two monotheistic religions, Judaism and Christianism.  Using some of their principles and some new he stated that he had been ellected by Allah to preach a new religion, Islam.

 At first, the Arabs did not believe him so he had to escape from Mecca to the city of Medina. This is called the Hegira.  In Medina he spread his religion and with his followers he returned to Mecca and expanded the new religion throughout Arabia.

ISLAM  Islam means submission to God. Its followers are the muslims.  Its holy book is the Koran which contains the revelations of Allah and the 5 principles of faith.

 The 5 principles of faith are:  To testify that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His prophet.  To pray 5 times a day.  To go on a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.  To fast during the month of Ramadan.

MUHAMMAD’S GOVERNMENT (1ST HALF 7TH CENTURY)  Muhammad became the religious and political leader of the muslims.  Following the idea of holy war, the muslims began to conquer territories.

ORTHODOX CALIPHATE  After Muhammad’s death, the highest authority of muslims was the caliph. The first four caliphs were direct descendants or friends of Muhammad.  During this period the entire Arabian peninsula was conquered.

UMAYYAD CALIPHATE  On the second half of the 7th century, the Ummayyad family took power.  They made the title of caliph hereditary.  The capital was established in Damascus.  They expanded the Empire from Persia to the Iberian Peninsula.

ABBASID CALIPHATE  On the second half of the 8th century, the Abbasid family took power.  The capital was established in Baghdad.  Some territories, like the ones in the Iberian Peninsula, became independent.

OTTOMAN TURKS  After the 13th century, an Islamic group, the Turks became powerful inside the Empire. They wanted to rebuild the splendour of the Islamic Empire.  The Turks took power and conquered the Byzantine Empire during the 15th century.  Its empire was going to survive until the 20th century. It dissapeared after the I World War.

ISLAMIC ECONOMY AND CULTURE  The islamic civilization was based on urban life. Cities such as Damascus, Baghdad or Cordoba were very important.  This was possible thanks to a developed trade, a rich agriculture and an impressive craftsmanship.  Muslims travelled by land and sea buying spices in Asia and gold, ivory and slaves in Africa and selling them in Europe.  Those travels allowed them to know and spread inventions such as gunpowder, the compass, the zero number and medical knowledge.

ISLAMIC ART  The most important building was the mosque. Its main wall always looked in the direction of the city of Mecca.  They did not use expensive materials but they were very creative in decorations.

 During some political periods, they did not represent people in art (iconoclastic rules).  Nevertheless, they had beautiful geometric or vegetable designs as well as a beautiful calligraphy which they used to decorate walls and objects.

Developed by María Jesús Campos Chusteacher wikiteacher

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